http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqEL4CDWXR8&feature=player_embedded This is amazing. Swag on a hundred trillion-Halftime-

Wow, just when I thought his ego couldn't get any bigger. But not really surprised.

I don't believe any of the Bulls teams were the greatest of all time. They can only be the geatest of that era, having not played any of the other great teams in their prime. Prove it? It's unprove-able, and MJ knows it. He can't prove that they were the best either but he knows his fans will suck it up if he says it. But I do know 72 wins in that era doesn't necessarily mean 72 wins in the era of the other great teams.

I could be wrong but MJ seems to have an unnatural and disturbing need for people to consider him and his Bulls the greatest. The periodic comments he makes when someone is compared to him, even to the point of "screaming at the tv (as a sports show host recently quoted MJ as saying) when someone favors Lebron in some area over him. Makes me think he will be a bitter old man when his name and accomplishments fade over time as they all do and that generation won't care a bit about what he did. Just another opinion.

And, yes...push-off!

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I thought Hill was a keeper too before he got hurt.

Westbrook is amazing going to the basket !

Kobe tore his achilles. Unbelievable. MDA killed him. I'm furious. Absolutely furious.-Halftime-

Disgusting and disappointing!

Green is ballin, and Bostons takin it to the Heat so far. (Nice dunk by Lebron over Terry though, don't like the "taunting" tech on Lebron)

Kobes very good.

[QUOTE="mont13"] I thought it was note worthy because of those type of comments and the extra effort Kobe put into his defense, so I thought I'd slip Jennings in there too.No_Hablo_Ingles

Agreed, not really needed to help the point, but noteworthy imo. Wasn't trying to find every example, the Bucks game was the next game after Cleveland and Irving, so Kobe's efforts there were included in most articles (didnt' have to look far). It wasn't just about the 4 of 14 shooting (28.6% from 39.5%), but the 1 assist (avg of 5.8), full court pressure, disrupting the flow of the game...etc. Wasn't just your basic lock down of Jennings, Kobe went above and beyond, just thought the old man deserved credit for the extra effort and energy, even if it was Jennings.

But not a big deal, again you're right he wasn't needed to make the point.

.... Don't count Brandon Jennings, please. No_Hablo_Ingles

I started not to include Jennings because I knew I would get that response. Brandon is no stranger to bad games and most times doesn't need much help to have one. But bad game or not he is quick, elusive and a chore to chase around the court (especially for a 17 yr vet). Judging from the comments Kobe kept pressure on him all game to prevent him from even getting the ball:

"Bryant hounded Jennings, averaging 18.5 points a game, into irrelevancy for much of the game."

"It was probably the best defense somebody's ever played on me since I've been in the league - just constantly putting pressure on me, touching me, hitting me at all times in the game. He wouldn't let me just catch the ball easy, and I wasn't able to get the ball a lot, so it was pretty difficult." (BJ)

""Our rhythm was taken away from us -- and mainly by the defense Kobe played." (J. Boylan)

"For the whole game, I don't think I've ever seen a guard put that much pressure on a point guard full-court." (Kevin Ding?)

"Kobe is huffing and puffing here during every stoppage, sweat pouring off him.... (Kevin Ding)

I thought it was note worthy because of those type of comments and the extra effort Kobe put into his defense, so I thought I'd slip Jennings in there too.

This game should put to rest the myth that somehow Kobe can "lock down" some of the best players in the league. Westbrook blows right by him, Durant isn't bothered in the least.

Master_Live

Myth, I dont know? When OKC/L.A. played n January and the Lakers won 105-96 Kobe did an excellent job on Westbrook: From the "Game Story"

"Lakers coach D'Antoni assigned Bryant to guard Westbrook at the outset of the game and his experience alone appeared to be enough to throw Westbrook off his game.

Westbrook missed his first eight field-goal attempts and 12 of 13 before eventually finishing with 17 points on 6-for-22 shooting. I'd call that a "lock down".

*Chris Paul: "Matched up against Chris Paul, Bryant forced the smooth-stroking point guard into 11-of-25 shooting and four turnovers. Bryant also scored 38 points, which suggests he can handle the task at hand."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1485381-can-kobe-bryant-be-lakers-top-defender-too.

*Brandon Jennings can be a tough cover at times, but: Game Story

 "Bryant also took on the task of guarding Milwaukee's second-leading scorer, point guard Brandon Jennings, holding him to 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting.

"Kobe changed the complexion of the game with his pressure in the backcourt. They knocked us off balance early."
-- Milwaukee coach Jim Boylan

*Kobe has also done a decent job on Kyrie Irving earlier this season.

Kobe has to do too much for this team. He's doing great period, but for a 17yr guy he's been more than amazing. I've never seen his level of play from anyone previously after this many years ( or even a few under his 17yrs)

I won't argue whether or not Kobe deserves the "clutch" label or not but here are some responses to Heny Abbott's article which speaks against Kobe's clutchness.

http://chasing23.com/the-ball-dont-lie-but-sometimes-stats-do/.

http://wagesofwins.com/2011/07/13/midday-musing-kobe-isnt-clutch-who-cares/.

http://losthatsportsblog.com/2011/01/sports-guy-and-abbott-kobe-bryant-isnt-clutch/.

Does anybody know how many "clutch" shots Jordan made in the regular season and his %?